MANCHESTER City boss Kevin Keegan received the keys to the club's new home today.

Schoolchildren were joined by top athletes Darren Campbell and Katherine Merry to celebrate the handing over of the £130m City of Manchester stadium to the Blues.

The stunning arena was built to host last summer's Commonwealth Games and council leaders reached an agreement with City to ensure it did not become a white elephant after the sporting spectacular.

Work has been going on during the last 12 months to add an extra 10,000 seats to the venue taking its capacity to 48,000.

City's first game at their new home is due to be a pre-season friendly against Barcelona next month.

The Blues played their final match at the old Maine Road stadium in Moss Side amid emotional scenes in May.

Focal point

The new Eastlands stadium has formed the focal point for the regeneration of east Manchester, which has seen millions of pounds ploughed into the area.

It is also the centrepiece of Sportcity, the collection of world-class athletics, squash, tennis and cycling facilities used by top athletes as well as local amateurs.

Council leader Richard Leese said: "This handover celebrates the completion of a world-class venue in a world-class city.

"For years we have worked hard to deliver this stadium, to bring about real improvements in the lives of local people. More jobs are available thanks to the building work, the Games and development of surrounding businesses.

"This is about far more than football - it's a new life for a new town in the city."

'Breathtaking'

Kevin Keegan added: "The stadium is a truly breathtaking venue of which we are incredibly proud.

"The facilities it provides to both our players and loyal fans are second to none and will put us among the elite of English football. While our fans have many fond memories of Maine Road, I am confident that they will feel at home here in no time at all."

Roger Draper, chief executive of Sport England said: "Sport England and Manchester council built a stadium not just for the Commonwealth Games but for people to enjoy for generations to come.

"Manchester City Football Club have got a fantastic new home and the people of the north west can look forward to around £2m collected in rent from the stadium each year being ploughed back into local sports facilities.

"Everybody involved in planning for a London Olympics in 2012 should look to Manchester to see how to achieve a legacy that will still be bringing major benefits 20 years from now."